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Spotted Lanternfly in Connecticut: What You Need to Know

You can help prevent a beer, wine, and fruit shortage in Connecticut – by keeping an eye out for a sneaky, hitchhiking, spotted invader called the spotted lanternfly.

What is the Spotted Lanternfly?

Spotted lanternfly on a green leaf with wings outstretched

Get to know the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest that could destroy agricultural crops, trees, and plants

The spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a pest native to China, India, and Vietnam. And while it is spotted (and quite colorful), it is more closely related to a grasshopper than a fly. It gets wings at adulthood, but it spends much of its life hopping rather than flying. So, then, you might wonder, how did this pest spread?

People.

The spotted lanternfly is a skilled hitchhiker, hitching a ride on vehicles, firewood, outdoor equipment, plants, bricks, construction equipment…pretty much anything that’s not moving. Spotted lanternflies lay egg masses on nearly any relatively smooth surface and if the egg masses are not spotted and the object is transported elsewhere, the spotted lanternfly has spread.

Spotted lanternfly perches on a vehicle tailpipe

How This Hopping Pest Relates to Hops (and Wines)

Closeup of green hop vines

Hop vines, which are needed in beer production, are a favorite snack of the SLF

The spotted lanternfly’s preferred food is the tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus), but there are over 70 different plant species that it will feed on – including hops and grapevines, which, as you know, are needed to create beer and wine.

SLF does damage not only by feeding on plant sap (it’s kind of like a vampire sucking out blood), but they also leave a sugary liquid mess (called honeydew) that attracts other pests. After a while, honeydew enables the growth of black sooty mold, an unsightly fungus that weakens the plant over time.

So yeah, this spotted bug is bad news.

Are there spotted lanternflies in Connecticut?

A gray, shiny spotted lanternfly egg mass blends in on a pallet of wood. A blue garbage bin is in the background

Spotted lanternfly egg masses are grayish and somewhat shiny. Can you spot one in this picture?

One spotted lanternfly was spotted in Southbury, Connecticut in October 2019.

Spotted lanternfly was first found in the United States in Berks County, Pennsylvania in 2014, and has since spread to several other states. Some of those states, such as New Jersey, now have quarantines in place to try to prevent the spread. However, even a quarantine cannot prevent human error, which is why it’s vital that you learn all you can about this pest that could harm the agricultural industry of Connecticut, as well as the trees and plants in your yard.

What should I look for?

SLF egg masses from September through June

Slf egg mass on blue dumpster

SLF egg mass was hidden inside this dumpster

Eggs are laid from September through December, but may not hatch until June. Look for a gray, shiny blob. They’re not very noticeable, which is why they’ve been able to travel as far as they have already.

SLF nymphs April through September

Spotted lanternfly nymphs on a plant stem

SLF nymphs suck out the inside of plant stems and leaves

Once they hatch, spotted lanternflies go through several stages of nymphs. These nymphs are small and black with white dots and then slightly larger and red and black with white dots. They don’t have wings yet but they will start to feed on young plants (usually the stems and leaves) at this stage.

SLF adults July through December

Spotted lanternflies gather on a tree trunk

Adult spotted lanternflies swarm on a tree trunk

Spotted lanternfly adults appear in late July, now with wings (though they only fly short distances). Adult spotted lanternflies seem to flock to tree-of-heaven and grape vines at this stage, though they’ll feed on other trees and plants as well.

What trees and plants do spotted lanternflies attack in Connecticut?

Tree-of-heaven with blue sky in the background

Tree-of-heaven is the spotted lanternfly’s preferred source of food

Already mentioned are the tree-of-heaven, hops, and grapevines. Fruit trees such as apples, cherries, and peaches in Connecticut are at risk from the SLF, as well as almost 50% of our “forest trees.”

A grapevine with purple grapes

Grapes and other fruits and vines are in danger from the spotted lanternfly

According to DEEP, these are the 10 forest trees most vulnerable to the SLF in Connecticut:

  1. Red Maple
  2. Sweet Birch
  3. Sugar Maple
  4. American Beech
  5. Eastern Hemlock
  6. Eastern White Pine
  7. Northern Red Oak
  8. American Hornbeam
  9. Yellow Birch
  10. White Oak

What should I do if I see a spotted lanternfly?

A man's shoe about to crush several spotted lanternflies on the ground

If you see a spotted lanternfly, destroy it and report it!

Here in the states, the spotted lanternfly has no natural predator, so it is up to us to stop it!

If it’s in any of the mobile phases (nymphs or adults with wings), squish it (stepping on it works well). And then take a photo and note your location. Send the picture(s) and location to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) at ReportSLF@ct.gov.

If you spot egg masses, scrape them off, double bag them (you can add hand sanitizer to make sure they’re not able to hatch), and report your findings the same way as above. Do not move the object where the egg mass was found from the site!

Spotted lanternflies on a buildingHopefully, it won’t reach this point in Connecticut, but in Pennsylvania, spotted lanternflies are everywhere. Flying into people’s hair, covering buildings, destroying plants and trees, and more.

One man’s sons suggested that he create an app based on how many spotted lanternflies a person could squash – so he did! It is appropriately called “Squishr.” You can find it on the app store here. For Android users, click here.

How can I protect my trees and plants from SLF?

Spotted lanternfly with wings outstretched. The wings have black dots, white stripes, and bright red

Here are the primary ways to protect your Connecticut yard and garden, as well as our forests and agricultural crops, from spotted lanternfly.

  1. Familiarize yourself with what the spotted lanternfly looks like and be on the lookout for it.
  2. Destroying any of these pests that you see.
  3. If you travel to or from a quarantined area, follow inspection procedures, especially if you are transporting anything that could have SLF eggs attached to it.
  4. If you have a tree-of-heaven on your property, you may want to remove it. Many consider it an invasive and “weedy” tree anyway, so it is usually a good one to remove. We can help you remove it, grind out the stump, and suggest a different tree for that area instead.
  5. Look for signs of honeydew and sooty mold in your trees. Call us if you see either as they’re not always a result of SLF infestation; other common and easily treated insects, such as aphids, can cause the same symptoms.
  6. Check your trees for oozing sap, large numbers of bees or wasps, or an unpleasant fermented smell. These are common signs of SLF feeding.

Sadly, we do expect to see more of the spotted lanternfly in Connecticut this next year. If you spot any damage from SLF or aren’t sure if your trees are tree-of-heaven, contact us for a complimentary inspection.

If you want to protect your trees before the SLF becomes a problem in Connecticut, we have preventative insecticides available. They work best when applied in the late spring or summer and can protect your tree for about a year. 

Once the SLF is in Connecticut, we have professional treatment options available to treat the pest. However, at this point, being aware and diligent are the best methods of prevention.

Why is the Bark Falling Off My Ash Tree?

Ash blonding

Ash blonding – Notice the lighter colored bark and the bark chunks at the base of the tree

Many area residents are noticing a strange phenomenon – the bark on ash trees is falling off in pieces, giving the trunk a blond appearance. Often, there are small pieces of bark on the ground at the base of the tree. And sometimes you’ll see woodpeckers feverishly pecking at the tree trunk.

What’s going on?

What you’re seeing is one of the more visible signs of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation. Called “ash blonding”, it refers to the lighter color of the inner bark that becomes visible as the outer bark is removed by woodpeckers searching for borers under the bark.

What’s an Emerald Ash Borer?

EAB is the most devastating threat to Connecticut forests since Dutch elm disease and chestnut blight and far outpaces ash yellows as the leading cause of death for our ash trees. Ash trees across the state are dying at an alarming rate, with little sign of the infestation slowing down.

The emerald green insect itself is tiny – less than 0.5” long – but the borer (immature phase of the EAB lifecycle) does a lot of damage by feeding on the vessels that transport nutrients up and down the tree, cutting off the tree’s nutrient supply.

Emerald Ash Borer was confirmed in the Danbury area in 2016, with surrounding towns quickly following. The map below shows the prevalence of EAB across Connecticut in July of 2018.

Map of towns infested with emerald ash borer in connecticut

How Can I Tell If My Ash Tree Has EAB?

There are several telltale signs of EAB infestation –

  • The tree canopy has few leaves and/or large dead areas
  • If you peel back the bark, you’ll see serpentine tunnels caused by borers feeding on the tissue
  • There are tiny D-shaped holes in the bark caused by the adult borers leaving the tree

As the infestation worsens, you may notice woodpeckers aggressively tearing at the bark. They’re trying to find the beetles (to turn them into a meal) and, in the process, are also removing pieces of the tree’s outer bark. As the lighter-colored inner bark starts to show through, the tree takes on a flecked appearance. Eventually, as more and more outer bark is removed, the tree trunk starts to look blond, rather than brown.

D-shaped hole in ash tree bark and eab galleries

Signs of EAB infestation include D-shaped exit holes (left) and serpentine galleries under the bark (right).

What Should I Do?

First, determine whether or not you have any ash trees on your property. If you’re unsure, give us a call at 203-240-1302 – we’ll be happy to identify and inspect the trees on your property.

If you have ash trees, examine them closely for signs of EAB infestation. This should be done by a Certified Arborist because early signs often appear high in the tree canopy and are easy to miss.

Depending on the condition of the tree, you have several options –

If the tree is healthy:

  1. Preemptively cut down the tree to eliminate the chance of EAB infestation.
  2. If you’d like to save the tree, have a professional treat it with a systemic insecticide. There are no over-the-counter treatments available to homeowners in Connecticut so the insecticide must be applied by a licensed arborist.

Doing nothing is NOT an option. It’s not a case of if the tree will be infected, but when.

If the tree is infested with EAB but has no more than 30% canopy dieback:

  1. Have a licensed arborist apply a systemic insecticide to protect the tree from further damage. If the infestation is caught early enough, the tree can be treated and saved.
  2. Remove the tree to avoid spreading EAB to neighboring trees or properties.

If the tree is heavily infested or dead:

  1. Tree removal is the only option at this point.

Hint: Signs of ash blonding usually indicate that the tree is heavily infested and/or nearly dead.

Removing a tree that has died due to EAB infestation is a tricky job that can be extremely dangerous. Ash trees lose their structural integrity when they die, leaving them prone to unexpected and catastrophic failure.

This is NOT a DIY job! Only hire a Certified Arborist with the experience, skills and specialized equipment needed to safely remove a dead ash tree. And check their insurance papers to ensure that you and the tree crew are fully protected.

If you see signs of ash blonding on your trees, would like to preserve a healthy ash tree or need to have a dead ash tree removed, please call us at 203-240-1302.

You can also learn more about our Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program.

How To Protect Trees From Deer Antler Rubbing

Deer antler damage on tree

Deer tear off tree bark by rubbing their antlers against the trunk

What are those scrape marks on my tree?!

Deer damage to trees is the result of bucks rubbing and scraping their antlers against trees which causes significant damage to the tree’s vascular system. Deer do this to remove the velvet from their antlers and it usually occurs from early fall into winter.

Deer also rub trees during the mating season to attract females or to mark their territory, warning other males to stay away. This activity can result in broken branches and torn tree bark.

So, what can you do about it?

Keep Deer Away from Your Trees

Since deer usually return to the same location, it’s important to know how to protect your trees from deer, especially if the trees have previously been damaged.

The best thing you can do to protect your trees from deer antler rubbing is to prevent the deer from getting close to the tree trunk or branches. This can be done surrounding your trees with deer fencing or using other barriers that offer deer rub tree protection. Repellent sprays are generally not effective for deer rub problems.

>> However, sprays ARE effective at preventing deer browsing. If deer are eating your plants, give us a call at 203-240-1302 to learn how we can save your trees, shrubs and garden beds from hungry deer.

Deer protection around tree trunk

A wire or plastic mesh sleeve can be effective in preventing deer rub damage

Use Deer Fencing for Multiple Trees

Fencing is the most effective way to protect trees from deer as it keeps them away from the entire tree (including branches and leaves, which hungry deer may be tempted to eat if they can reach it). If you have many trees, surround the entire area with woven-wire fencing. However, in order to be effective, it must be at least six to eight feet tall. Deer are great jumpers and will clear vertical fences without difficulty.

Use Tree Guards to Protect Individual Trees

Another way to provide protection is to wrap the tree trunk itself with chicken wire or one of the commercially available types of plastic tree guards.

Some tree guards are made of mesh plastic netting. Others are created from a vinyl spiral that wraps around the trunk but still allows it to grow naturally. They are usually available in rolls and can be cut to the required length. Because they can be cut to size, these types of tree guards work well on larger trees, as well as small ones.

Plastic sleeve to prevent deer damage

A plastic sleeve wraps around the tree trunk to deer can’t reach the bark

Plastic tubes or pipes that have been cut down one side (lengthwise) can also be fitted around the trunks of trees in an effort to protect trees from deer. This works best for smaller diameter trees. Be sure to choose a plastic that’s white or light in color so it does not produce heat against the tree trunk from the sun.

These wraps and pipes can also protect the tree trunk from sunscald caused by intense sun reflecting off the snow, which has been known to blister or crack the bark.

If you’re having problems with deer eating your trees and shrubs, check out our article on preventing deer damage.

American Chestnut Blight: An Update & Next Steps

Chestnut tree foliage

Until the 1930s, America’s eastern forests were dominated by the American chestnuts (Castanea dentata). One in four trees was a chestnut – there were millions of chestnut trees covering the landscape. The majestic hardwood trees reached up to 100 feet tall and were favored by Native Americans and early settlers for their fine timber and edible nuts. The nuts were also essential to wildlife.

Then the unthinkable happened.

Chestnut blight, a deadly fungal disease introduced to the United States from Asia in the early 1900s, destroyed our chestnut forests and threatened the very existence of these important trees.

Since then, tree breeders and researchers have worked to find blight-resistant varieties to bring American chestnuts back to our landscapes and forests. And, after years of research and millions of dollars of investment, it looks like they may be succeeding!

American Chestnut Restoration

Organizations such as The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) are on the forefront of research dedicated to restoring these important North American trees to our forests. Over 25 years ago they created the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project, an effort spearheaded by researchers at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. In that time, lots of hopeful discoveries have been made.

Many blight-resistant American chestnut varieties have been found — TACF calls them “Restoration Chestnuts”. Some were collected in the wild, others bred with blight resistant Chinese chestnuts, and still others genetically engineered with blight-resistant genes.

All of these varieties have brought us closer to having truly disease resistant American chestnuts, but researchers have taken the effort one step further. They realized a more intensive, collaborative effort was needed to repopulate our forests with these ecologically vital trees.

Ten Thousand Chestnut Challenge

In 2014, TACF launched a crowd-funded campaign called the “Ten Thousand Chestnut Challenge”. The challenge was to plant 10,000 chestnuts in eastern research orchards where resistant American chestnuts could be bred for disease resistance and diversity.

If successful, they will select disease-resistant chestnuts able to grow in many regions across eastern North America for forest repopulation.

Donors gave $101,911 to support the campaign, and over the last three years thousands of trees have been planted to meet the 10,000 chestnut goal.

Chestnut Blight Restoration Progress

So, what progress have they made?

The American Chestnut Foundation has helped plant over 1.8 million blight-resistant Restoration Chestnut seedlings in eight states since 2009. These have been planted in both forests as well as public and home landscapes. Highly blight-resistant American chestnut varieties from the Ten Thousand Chestnut Challenge also show great promise and are being planted and monitored.

American Chestnuts for Homeowners

So what does this mean for you, the homeowner?

These beautiful blight-resistant chestnut trees are great for wooded yards and edible landscapes, but everyday landscape nurseries don’t sell them, yet. The best way to get your own blight-resistant Restoration Chestnut is to join The American Chestnut Foundation. Members are sometimes offered these trees for home planting, and you can become part of the restoration process!

 

 

Facts About Gypsy Moth in Connecticut & How To Control Them

Gypsy moth in connecticut

Gypsy Moth Attacking Your Trees?

Call Today For a Complimentary Inspection & Treatment Estimate

203-240-1302

 
We’ve been relatively lucky so far in the Danbury area and Fairfield County – most of the recent gypsy moth infestations and the resulting defoliation of trees took place in eastern Connecticut. But this year could turn out to be much worse for us.

What Is a Gypsy Moth?

The gypsy moth is a small nondescript moth that’s usually active for a short period of time in mid to late July. It’s not the moth we need to worry about though – it’s the caterpillars.

You’ve probably seen gypsy moth caterpillars before. They’re hairy critters with a double row of blue and red dots down their back. And they hang from trees by thin silk threads, getting in your hair and on your clothes whenever you walk under a tree. Ugh.

The female gypsy moth lays eggs in a mass of up to 1000 eggs that hatch into caterpillars in late April to early May. The caterpillars climb up into nearby trees and start eating – and eating and eating …

Their favorite plant to eat seems to be oak trees, although they’ll also munch their way through apple, birch, poplar and willow. They’ll generally leave conifers alone, except during a heavy outbreak.

Gypsy Moth Damage in Connecticut

In years when we have a bad gypsy moth outbreak in Connecticut, nearly all the trees in the area will be completely defoliated. For example, in 1981 over 1.5 million acres of trees lost all their leaves.

More recently, we’ve seen an increase in the number and severity of gypsy moth outbreaks in Connecticut. 2015 saw over 180,000 acres defoliated and 2016 was even worse, with 204,167 acres affected. What’s even more concerning is that the latest outbreak saw many trees completely stripped of leaves, including trees that normally aren’t targeted by the gypsy moth, such as spruce, pine and hemlock. 

A healthy tree can usually survive being defoliated once in a season. It’ll generally grow back most of its leaves before fall, although some of the tree may look a little sparse. But older or stressed trees (such as during a drought) will have difficulty regenerating leaves, may become vulnerable to attack by other insects or disease, and may not have the stored energy needed to survive through the winter.

After two or three consecutive years of defoliation, even the healthiest tree will probably die. 

Why Has Gypsy Moth Damage Been Worse Lately?

For many years, the gypsy moth population in Connecticut has been controlled by a fungus called Entomophaga maimaiga. It’s harmless to humans and other animals (including pollinators and beneficial insects) but it’s deadly for the gypsy moth caterpillar.

The problem is that the fungus needs a certain amount of moisture from early season rains in May and June in order to be activated. In dry springs, like the last two years, the fungus can’t grow and spread fast enough to infect a significant number of caterpillars. As a result, we end up with a caterpillar outbreak.

How To Control Gypsy Moths

Rather than waiting to see what may happen with weather in spring and hoping that the maimaiga fungus will bring down the gypsy moth population, most homeowners choose to proactively treat their trees to control gypsy moth.

There are two ways to control the spread and amount of damage caused by gypsy moths –

  • preventive treatments (such as removing egg masses) and
  • directly targeting the caterpillars with a variety of insecticides.

Targeting adults (after the caterpillar stage) and pupa (before the caterpillar emerges) generally isn’t effective.

Preventive Treatments for Gypsy Moth

Prevention focuses on two things – preventing eggs from hatching and preventing caterpillars from reaching the tree canopy where they feed.

One option is to manually remove egg masses by scraping them off surfaces and destroying them (such as by drowning them in soapy water – just leaving them on the ground won’t kill them). The problem with this is that egg masses can be high up in the trees where you can’t reach them, they’re hard to see, and they can be on just about any surface, including your car! Plus, even if you eliminated all egg masses on your own property, young caterpillars can be blown in from neighboring properties.

You can also spray trees and other surfaces with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to completely soak egg masses. This prevents them from hatching. Be sure to do it before eggs start hatching in late April! Because you need to cover all egg masses, this is something best done by an arborist who has the spray equipment to reach all areas.

To prevent caterpillars from climbing tree trunks, you can place a band around the trunk to trap caterpillars as they climb. This is usually a folded piece of burlap or a sticky band. You’ll have to kill the trapped caterpillars so this isn’t something for the squeamish person!

Chemical & Biological Treatments for Gypsy Moth

These types of treatments are best applied by a CT Licensed Arborist who has the spray or tree injection equipment necessary to get full coverage of all trees on your property. And some treatments can only be applied by a Licensed Arborist who’s licensed by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

The best results are achieved after the caterpillars have hatched but are still relatively young – some time in mid-May to mid-June. It usually only requires one treatment, although if there’s a heavy outbreak or your neighbor hasn’t treated their trees, you may need a second treatment.

How Barts Controls Gypsy Moth

We prefer to avoid spraying when possible (it can be hard to control exactly where the spray goes when spraying large trees and some residents have health and safety concerns about insecticidal sprays).

Instead, we use TREE-äge® from Arborjet – a highly effective insecticide with a long residual (meaning that it stays active in the tree for a couple of years) that’s injected directly into the tree trunk. We find that this systemic approach (meaning that the treatment is dispersed throughout the entire tree, not just on the surface or on some parts) is much more effective than foliar sprays.

And, because it’s injected into the tree, there’s no risk of chemical exposure to you, your family or pets on your property.

Plus, your trees only need treatment every two years instead of annually.

Although you can treat with TREE-äge at any time during the growing season, September is the ideal time to do a tree injection to protect your trees from gypsy moths. This means that the trees are fully protected going into next year’s growing season.

Call us today at 203-240-1302 to set up a complimentary gypsy moth consultation. We’ll take a look at your trees, discuss your treatment preferences and recommend the best option for controlling gypsy moth on your property.

How To Prevent Winter Deer Damage

Stop winter deer damage to treesIf there are deer in your neighborhood then they’ve probably stopped by your property to feed. As deer populations increase in Connecticut, more and more homeowners are faced with the problem of trying to keep them away from landscape plants, especially in winter when there’s little other food available to hungry deer.

An adult deer eats between 6 to 7 pounds of plant material every day. With that kind of voracious appetite, it won’t take long for them to totally decimate the plantings on your property.

Deer also carry ticks that spread Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Although deer may look cute, you definitely don’t want them hanging around your home!

So what can you do to keep deer away?

Below are the most effective ways to prevent deer browsing. However, if winter weather is harsh enough and food becomes scarce, deer will munch on just about anything. This includes normally “deer-resistant” plants and shrubs, as well as some plants that have been sprayed with repellents that are highly effective under normal conditions.

Effective Ways to Prevent Deer Damage

Spray Repellents

The deer spray barts uses lasts 6 months and has no color to stain your property

The deer spray Barts uses lasts 6 months and has no color to stain your property

For most homeowners, the easiest and most economical approach to keeping deer away is a spray repellent program starting in the fall. This spray is innocuous to plants and shrubs while smelling and/or tasting bad to the deer.

Here in Connecticut, deer repellent sprays should be applied September through December when temperatures are above freezing. Application earlier in the browsing cycle (September and October) leads to much better results.

There are two types of deer repellents, contact repellents and area repellents. Contact repellents are applied directly to plants, causing them to taste bad (this is what we use at Barts). Area repellents are placed in a problem area and repel by their foul odor but we haven’t found these to be as effective.

Spray repellents should be applied on a dry day with temperatures above freezing. We treat young trees completely and older trees may be treated only on their new growth and buds. Treat to a height 6 feet above the maximum expected snow depth. Deer browse from the top down.

Home-remedy deer repellents are questionable at best. These include small, fine-mesh bags of human hair and bar soap hung from branches of trees, among others. The only truly effective home remedy I’ve seen is a 100 lb dog in your yard. Deer don’t like things that remind them of wolves and they’ll generally stay clear.

At Barts Tree Service we spray “Deer Free Winter Armor” to protect your landscape from deer. This is a white pepper based product so as you can imagine it doesn’t taste good at all. The product lasts 6 months and is made right here in the USA. One of the best features of this product is that it dries clear, whereas most of the other deer repellent sprays on the market have a green dye which can stain your house, walkway or other infrastructure.

>> GET A DEER SPRAY ESTIMATE

Deer Fencing

Another option is to put up deer fencing around all plants that you want to protect. Keep in mind that this fencing must be 8 feet tall – anything shorter and deer can jump over it! If you have a few specimen trees or large flower beds, this can be a good choice as there’s no need to spray once the fence is up. The downside is the work involved in actually putting up the fence and the space needed to store it during the warmer months.

Electric fences also can be used. Electric fences should be of triple-galvanized, high-tensile, 13.5-gauge wire carrying a current of 35 milliamps and 3,000 to 4,500 volts. Several configurations of electric fences are used: vertical five-, seven-, or nine-wire; slanted seven-wire; single strand; and others. When using a single strand electric fence it helps the deer to see that the wire is there if you mark it with cloth strips, tape or something similar. Otherwise, the deer may not see it in time and go right through it.

Wrapping in Burlap

If you only have smaller shrubs to protect, you may want to simply wrap them in burlap. Not only does this protect them from grazing deer, but it protects the shrubs from drying out in the cold winter winds. You can learn more about this in our article on preventing winter browning in evergreens.

And if you’re having problems with bucks damaging your trees by rubbing their antlers against the trunk, check out our article on preventing deer rub damage.

Emerald Ash Borer Treatment For Connecticut

Emerald ash borer treatment to save ash trees

Save Your Ash Trees Before It’s Too Late

By the time you see obvious signs of infestation in your ash tree, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been there for years and it’s usually too late to save the tree. That’s why preventive treatment is so important.

EAB was confirmed in the Danbury area in 2017, putting all local ash trees at risk from this devastating pest. It’s no longer a matter of if ash trees in our area will be infected, but when it will happen.

 

Don’t Take Chances With Your Ash Trees

Call us for your free ash tree inspection and EAB treatment plan.

Call 203-240-1302 Today

 

The brief video below explains how ash trees can be saved from EAB and what happens when they aren’t treated with a preventive insecticide.

What To Do If You Have Ash Trees

The best thing you can do right away is to assess how EAB has or will impact your property.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Do I have ash trees on my property?
  2. Are they in good health?
  3. Do I want to save them?

If you answered “yes” to all three questions then it’s time to get a thorough EAB inspection.

Our licensed Arborists can determine whether or not EAB is present in your ash trees (they’ll climb into your tree because it’s not easy to see Emerald Ash Borers from the ground).

If there are no signs of EAB or only a light infestation (up to 30-40% of the tree), then your ash trees are a candidate for EAB prevention and treatment.

How To Protect Your Trees From Emerald Ash Borer

Arborject treeage

Arborjet TreeAge insecticide is injected directly into the tree – no spraying!

We’ve been treating ash trees for Emerald Ash Borer for years, using highly effective Arborjet tree injections with the industry-leading TreeAge insecticide. This product has a 90% efficacy in killing feeding insects and larva and is still effective even if a tree is up to 30%-40% infested with EAB.

TreeAge insecticide has a 2-year residual time frame so Emerald Ash Borer injections are only needed every two years.

And because it’s injected directly into the tree, there’s no spraying involved so you don’t have to worry about air-borne insecticide affecting your family, pets, or neighbors.

So if you have ash trees, give us a call to have one of the Barts Tree Service Licensed Arborists assess your ash trees for EAB. And if you’re not sure what kinds of trees you have, we’ll happily take a look and identify them for you.

Don’t Wait Until Your Ash Trees Are Dying

Treat them quickly and eliminate Emerald Ash Borer

Call 203-240-1302 Today

Barts Finds Emerald Ash Borer in Danbury

Barts tree service finds eab in danbury

Tree-killing pest found in Danbury

This article first appeared in the Danbury NewsTimes.

DANBURY — Four years after it was discovered in Connecticut, an invasive insect that is killing ash trees across the country has been found in Danbury.

A contractor working on Maplewood Drive this week found an ash tree infected with the emerald ash borer, a small, green non-native species of beetle so destructive that it is expected to all but wipe out ash trees in the Northeast in as little as a decade.

City and state officials said Friday this is the first report of an ash borer infestation in the city, but they were not surprised to hear it.

“This is not a new infestation,” said Katherine Dugas, a research assistant with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, or CAES. “What we’re seeing is confirmation, rather than an expansion.”

The insect showed up in Connecticut in 2012, a decade after its first appearance in Michigan. It is thought to have migrated from Asia.

Because the ash borer has established itself in at least 26 states, officials say, eradication is no longer considered possible. Instead, authorities have focused on slowing or preventing the spread of the insect into new areas by, for example, banning the moving of firewood.

Still, experts say, nearly every ash tree in Connecticut, and probably the entire northeast and eastern Canada, is destined to die.

Matt Bartelme, the contractor who spotted the infested tree near the New York state border this week, said Danbury’s ash trees are probably “doomed.”

“Now that we know that is in our area, all the ash trees are at a high risk of dying unless they’re chemically treated,” he said.

Other towns already affected include Newtown, New Milford, Sherman, Southbury and Bridgewater.

“It’s been around us,” Bartelme said. “It was just a matter of time until it got here.”

Gale Ridge, a CAES assistant agricultural scientist, said any trees within a 15-mile radius could be considered in danger.

Female ash borers lay their eggs under the bark of ash trees. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the inner layers of the tree bark, cutting off the tree’s circulatory system. Nutrients then can’t reach the top of the tree, Bartelme said, so the crown and the top branches eventually die.

Trees tend to die within two to three years after becoming infested, but some last as long as eight years.

Other signs of infestation include D-shaped holes on the bark, horizontal tracks on the inner surface of the bark and unusual numbers of holes drilled by woodpeckers, for which ash borers are a favorite food.

Bartelme, who owns Barts Tree Service, said one of the best treatments is an insecticide known by the brand name Tree-äge, which is injected into the tree.

Another way of monitoring the spread of the ash borer is by noting the presence of a stingless wasp known as the smokey winged beetle bandit, which preys on the borer, Ridge said.

“We have research going on that is very promising to bring the population down,” she said.

Chris Martin, head of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s forestry division, said the insect could be active for up to five years before anyone notices.

“It’s very probable that the population has just grown and only now people are starting to notice that their ash trees are dying,” Martin said.

Infected trees should not be used as firewood because any larva or eggs underneath the bark could survive in cut wood long enough to find living hosts.

noliveira@newstimes.com, 203-731-3411, @olivnelson

This article first appeared in the Danbury NewsTimes.

Q&A: Can I Stop Emerald Ash Borers From Killing My Ash Trees?

Emerald ash borer

Emerald Ash Borer

Q: I heard that Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is now threatening our local ash trees. Is there anything I can do to save my trees?

Emerald Ash Borer was first found in Prospect, Connecticut in 2012 and since then has spread to a large part of the state, infesting and killing ash trees as it goes.

It’s very difficult to see the early signs of EAB infestation since the insects lay eggs in the top of the tree first and then slowly move down over the next couple of years. Usually by the time you can see visible signs of infestation from the ground, EAB has been there for years.

But don’t panic – there’s still time to try to save your ash trees.

Arborject treeage

Arborjet TreeAge insecticide is injected directly into the tree – no spraying!

We’ve been performing Arborjet tree injections using the industry leading TreeAge insecticide, which has a 90% efficacy in killing feeding insects and larva. This product is still effective even if a tree is infested up to 30%-40%.

TreeAge insecticide has a 2-year residual time frame so injections are required only every two years. And because it’s injected directly into the tree there’s no spraying involved so you don’t have to worry about air-borne insecticide affecting your yard, pets, or family.

So if you have ash trees, give us a call to have Barts Tree Service Licensed Arborists come and assess your ash trees for EAB. And if you’re not sure what kinds of trees you have, we’ll happily take a look and identify them for you.

Don’t wait until your ash trees are dying – treat them quickly and eliminate EAB.

For more information visit www.Emeraldashborer.info and the CT DEEP page on EAB.

 

 

 

Preventing Winter Rodent Damage on Young Trees

Winter rodent damage to bark of a young tree

Winter rodent damage to the bark of a young tree

Mice, voles, rabbits and rodents can cause damage to young trees, saplings and shrubs during the winter months by feeding on bark, twigs, buds and foliage.

As snow accumulates around tree trunks and lower branches, it provides a great environment for little critters to tunnel around tree trunks. By tunneling under the snow, they can create a protected habitrail network for feeding, especially when deep snow on the ground is persistent.

This feeding can create small nibbling wounds in the bark and deeper layers of the tree which allow fungal and parasitic attacks come spring. In some cases, the damage can be severe enough where the trunk is girdled (eaten away entirely around the circumference) and cuts off vascular flow, killing the tree or shrub.

If the snow has a nice hard crust you will also see tree damage two or three feet off the ground – just above the snow level. Since rabbits and the like can stay on top of the snow pack while foraging, they have access to bark higher up the tree.

How to Prevent Winter Rodent Damage

Before the snow starts flying, wrap ¼ inch wire mesh around the bottom 24 inches of the tree. Be sure to sink the mesh 2 inches into the ground so the critters can’t get under it. Ensure the mesh is not too snug around the trunk and consider removing it each spring. There are also plastic tree guards that work well.

During the winter, shovel snow from around your small trees so as to eliminate the rodent habitrail feeding opportunity. This also allows predators, especially owls and hawks, to have a clear sight line to these rodents if they are going for a snack so it will naturally reduce the likelihood of rodent damage.

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Testimonials

Polite, Prompt & Professional

Every time we use Barts we are more than pleased. Professional and knowledgeable. The crews are so polite and they leave the work area clean and undamaged. Matt responds very promptly to requests and does exactly what we ask him to.

Suzi D.
Brookfield, CT
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
 
Careful & Reasonably Priced

I have used Bart's tree service and was extremely pleased. The crew was very conscious of the fact huge trees were near the house and carefully took down leafed trees without falling on the house or ruining what little lawn I do have.

This time cleanup of falling over trees and an a large dead ash and cedar were removed. ... In (...Read More...)

Catherine M.
Ridgefield, CT
Monday, April 18, 2016
 
Very Professional

Last fall we had many large pine trees cut down and the stumps have been an eyesore ever since. I found Barts online at random, read the reviews, then called. Matt called back the next day, stopped by to see the work, gave a very good price to remove the stumps, and I gave him the job. Matt also recommended to remove 2 other very (...Read More...)

Ken H.
Brookfield, CT
Sunday, May 1, 2016
 
Went Above and Beyond

We highly recommend Barts Tree Service. They were respectful, very hardworking and went above and beyond, exceeding our expectations. They removed 5 large trees plus saplings and wood chipped them all - arriving early morning and all finished by late afternoon. We were at the start of having a new house constructed and advised by (...Read More...)

Tina M.
Sandy Hook, CT
Thursday, October 6, 2016
 
Did a Fabulous Job

We live on a lake front property with a steep topography making tree and landscape work difficult. Barts gave us a fair estimate, arrived promptly and on schedule and did a fabulous job removing trees, shrubs, large limbs with a perfect clean up. We have used three other tree services over the last 11 years and Barts far exceeds t (...Read More...)

Ken K.
New Fairfield
Thursday, September 21, 2017
 
Efficient & Well-Organized

I live on a property with many trees, and I contacted Bart's Tree Service this month (January 2017) when I noticed a damaged tall white oak on my property. The first time I used Bart's Tree Service was in the spring of 2015, and I was impressed with Bart's good service at that time--so I contacted Bart's again to get help with my (...Read More...)

Eloise Swenson
Brookfield, CT
Sunday, February 26, 2017
 
Easy To Work With

Barts Tree Service is very easy to work with. Matt is quick to respond via phone or email and provides an accurate estimate. I have used them for two projects now and Matt and his team have done a great job both times and stayed on budget. If you need any type of tree service call Barts!

Andrew S.
Wilton, CT
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
 
WOW!

This company is by far one of the best experiences we have ever had as home owners! Matt, the owner came to give us an estimate for pruning our apple orchard. He pointed out that it had been done wrong in the past and explained what needed to be done. He spent time showing us what we could do to save money in the future. He is ver (...Read More...)

Scott F.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Friday, April 3, 2015
 
Thank You!

Thank you for the beautiful work at our house in Danbury!! The trees have never looked better. We appreciate your eye, and your team's thoroughness and tidiness - not a stray leaf left behind. THANK YOU BART'S TREE SERVICE!!!

Maura Newell J.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
 
Expert Tree Service

Matt and crew showed up exactly when they said they would and did precisely what I asked them to do. They're real pros and I'll call them next time I need expert tree service.

William G.
Review from Yellowpages.com
Thursday, June 26, 2014
 
Skilled Crew

Bart's Tree Service offers a skilled crew with access to all the equipment and techniques to efficiently do the largest jobs. They have a bucket truck, crane, wood chipper, several tree climbers and are skilled with ropes and pulleys. They carefully removed several large trees which were precariously over my house. I watched in aw (...Read More...)

Rosemarie M.
Review from Yellowpages.com
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
 
A Great Experience

Asked around and got Matt's name. He came right out for a free estimate, very courteous and knowledgeable. He gave me tips on things that I could do myself to save money and explained all his ideas and thoughts. Gave me a great price and came out to do the work very promptly. The crew was very courteous as well. When I had a coupl (...Read More...)

Melissa K.
Sandy Hook (Review from Yelp)
Monday, July 8, 2013
 
The Epitome of Professionalism

Fabulous company! Matt and the rest of the company are the epitome of professionalism. They try very hard to keep the cost reasonable and are flexible in setting up work times. They leave the site in great condition. I highly recommend them!

Megan F.
Review from Google+
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
 
Absolutely Fantastic

Matt and his team are absolutely fantastic. They went above and beyond, were fast, polite and professional. They cleaned up beautifully and they listened well.

Matt knows his trees, shrubs and bushes and he is not out to rip you off. In fact, he gives a very fair price and gets to the job quickly and with safety in mind.

MaryAnn M.
Danbury, CT
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
 
Very knowledgeable

I've worked with several tree firms in the four homes I've lived in, and I can honestly say that Bart's Tree Service is extraordinary.I am very pleased with the efficient and professional work performed by Matt and his servicemen. I needed a variety of work, from pruning to removal throughout the property. As a couple men were i (...Read More...)

Lorraine R.
Ridgefield, CT (Review from Yelp)
Monday, March 31, 2014
 
Did An Excellent Job

I first used Bart's Tree service in 2013 to take down a large catalpa that was splitting at the base. Matt understood our concerns about the septic and his team carefully took down the tree without having any of the trunks go near the septic. They cleaned up the property after the job and did a great job.I contacted Matt again thi (...Read More...)

Justin D.
Review from Google+
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
 
Very Impressed

When Matt came to take a look at the work I needed done, he gave me several options and also made suggestions for taking care of some other issues that I hadn't noticed. There was no pressure and he was very patient with my questions. He gave me an estimate on the spot and stuck to that estimate when all the work was completed. Wh (...Read More...)

John B.
Redding, CT (Review from Yelp)
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
 
Super Responsive

If only ALL contractors were as easy to do business with as Barts Tree Service! The owner, Matt, has always been super responsive to my calls, provides quotes quickly and gets all work done to my quality standards in the time he promises to get them done. His business is highly qualified to do the work and his staff is always ve (...Read More...)

Jessica G.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Monday, February 24, 2014
 
Quick Response

Called Bart's Monday morning after my wife heard a bad cracking noise coming from a large maple tree that towers over our kitchen. We were both worried the tree would fall on our roof. Matt came over that afternoon, examined the tree and recommended that a cable be installed to stabilize the tree. A few days later, his crew instal (...Read More...)

Jerry S.
Ridgefield, CT (Review from Yelp)
Thursday, November 6, 2014
 
Careful & Quick

The whole experience was really good.Part of it was luck: Matt was on his way past our neighborhood when I called about the work, and he was able to stop shortly after I called. The price was within the budget, and even though it was a busy time, he was able to get us into the schedule in under a week, which, since it wasn't an em (...Read More...)

Hugh M.
Review from Google+
Monday, October 27, 2014
 
Very Professional!

Barts tree service removed two trees and trimmed another very large tree near power lines at a reasonable price. They were quick responding when we had questions and provided proof of all licensing required. Barts arrived when they said they would and left the property in very good condition despite a difficult property to maneuver on.

Helder P.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Friday, March 27, 2015
 
Exceeded My Expectations

Usually, when selecting a tree service, you start by asking friends, relatives, etc. Well being new to our house and area we had to take a shot on a firm we found online. I was not disappointed.

Matt, the owner was personable, Listened carefully to everything we wanted done and gave us a usable fair price on the spot.

Wh (...Read More...)

Gregg S.
Redding, CT (Review from Yelp)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
 
Reliable, Fast, and Efficient

We've use Barts Tree Service twice for big trees on our property. and have recommended them to all our friends. Matt Bartelme and his crew are very professional, reliable, fast and efficient. They show up when promised, and clean up when done. We had both trees cut up, chipped and hauled away in no time. Their stump-grinding mac (...Read More...)

Meg B.
Ridgefield, CT (Review from Yelp)
Sunday, June 23, 2013
 
Very Responsive

Job was to Clean up 2 trees of hanging dead branches; Take down 2 large trees and 1 smaller tree; Cut and stack wood; Leave wood chips in pile

Matt was very responsive when called for a quote. He took the time to review not only the trees we had called him for a quote as well as reviewed any needs and suggestions for others wi (...Read More...)

Gayle C.
Southbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Saturday, May 18, 2013
 
Did a Great Job!

Matt came out and gave us a free estimate after reviewing the work we were requesting to be done. He sent us a detailed proposal for work to be done and cost for each separate item.

His crew arrived within the the time frame and did a great job! Very courteous and before leaving made sure we were happy with the work and left no (...Read More...)

Frank D.
Bethel, CT (Review from Yelp)
Monday, December 15, 2014
 
Excellent Service

Bart's Tree Service provide an excellent service. They were prompt, did what they said they would do and left the yard impeccable after completing a big job. Bart's charged a fair price. I will use them again.

Cindy C.
Ridgefield, CT (Review from Yelp)
Friday, October 31, 2014
 
Prompt, Reliable, and Professional

Great company. Matt is thd best tree guy around Danbury. I used him last year during a snow a snow storm had a tree hanging over my roof he came the next day, Durning the summer we were installing a pool and a large tree was in the way he came took down the tree and ground the stumps and roots that were in the way. Was here this (...Read More...)

Bruce B.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Saturday, April 12, 2014
 
Professional Work

I recently used Barts Tree Service for stump grinding and for delivery of premium hardwood firewood. I was impressed with Matt's professionalism, ability to provide a prompt and complete estimate, and his crew's quick completion of the job. It is clear Matt's team is conscious of appropriately completing the job, but also keep (...Read More...)

Brian K.
Weston, CT (Review from Yelp)
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
 
Careful Attention to Detail & Safety

Barts Tree Service is as good as it gets!!!

The owner, Matt is easy to communicate with and spends adequate time listening to the client's needs, explaining the services and answering questions. No surprises here. Everything is done as discussed. The crew is well briefed before they start working.

The level of expertise of e (...Read More...)

Amazing G.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Monday, June 9, 2014
 
Trustworthy, Respectful and Talented

We highly recommend Barts Tree Service.

We have used Barts Tree Service a handful of times and have been sincerely impressed every time. The crew, including the owner, are all professional, trustworthy, respectful and talented workers who put care and skill into every job they do.

They are the kind of business you recommend (...Read More...)

Alicia D.
Danbury, CT (Review from Yelp)
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
 
Pleasant and Efficient

We first met Matt, the owner, during Hurricane Irene. A huge pine fell on our house and our neighbor recommended Barts. We called - and he was there before the hurricane was out to sea...no exaggeration. Since then we've had Matt back several times. He is great to work with, his crew is pleasant and efficient, and the prices are great.

A.P.
Ridgefield, CT (Review from Yelp)
Monday, March 4, 2013
 
Very Professional

Cut down 4 trees - a storm-damaged tree leaning on another, and 2 small ones in close proximity. Left the wood, in fireplace-sized logs in the woods; chipped branches and blew them in the woods. Cleaned up debris.

The job went very well. Barts was the only provider who said they would not need to get a truck on our lawn, and (...Read More...)

Customer in Bethel, CT
Saturday, September 14, 2013
 
Hurricane Sandy Clean-Up

Removed trees damaged by hurricane Sandy and ground several stumps on property. Provided an estimate that was very fair, came on the date we had set and did the work promptly and efficiently. This was the third time I had used Barts Tree Service. They are by far the best in the state!

Third-time Customer
Sunday, November 3, 2013
 
Large Tree Removal

Removed two 80′+ Hickory and Oak from front yard, ground stumps below grade, removed logs/braches, removed two smaller 8″ diameter trees and pruned low tree branches in backyard. Repaired lawn expertly where needed.

Fantastic Professional crew, prompt service. After the removal you couldn’t tell any work done – the area was le (...Read More...)

Customer in Sherman, CT
Monday, November 11, 2013
 
Great Stump Grinding Job

I happened to see a sign for Bart's Tree Service stump grinding. I called and got a call back and a visit for an estimate THE SAME DAY. That is almost unheard of....I got an estimate for them to grind two large stumps and also for some tree trimming. Within a week all of the work was complete. Everyone on the crew was great. Nice (...Read More...)

Renee M.
Danbury, CT
Thursday, March 24, 2016
 
An Excellent Job

You did an excellent job. The clean-up was appreciated too. The price was right. You went over and above my expectations. I will highly recommend you to anyone I know, who needs tree removal.

Patti F.
Danbury, CT
Monday, February 29, 2016
 
Thank You

I thank you for your conscientious and dedicated team, a job well done. I will definitely use your company again for my next job.

Peter J.
Friday, August 10, 2018
 
Great people and great service

I called Matt because I wanted some trees taken down in our yard. I was concerned about the health of some of the trees and wasn’t sure which ones to have removed. One tree in particular was damaged in the blizzard and I was worried it would come down on power lines or the street if it wasn’t removed quickly. He and his crew came (...Read More...)

Lisa F.
Friday, August 10, 2018
 
Reliable, On Time, Precision Work

We recently used Barts to remove two large trees on our property. This appeared to be a complicated endeavor as the trees were adjacent to the house. Barts assured us this would not be a problem, a crane was brought in to assist with the removal. Highly recommend this service, they are reliable, on time and performed the removal w (...Read More...)

New Customer
Ridgefield, CT
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
 
Bart's Tree Service is Great!

Matt Bartelme, owner of Bart's Tree Service is a qualified professional who knows trees and his crew is excellent and well trained. Bart's has done work for Aspetuck Land Trust for years and I would highly recommend them to any homeowner or business. Bart's also has a heart and has donated services to the Land Trust to improve h (...Read More...)

Aspetuck Land Trust
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
 
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WOODBURY OFFICE
115 Flanders Rd,
Woodbury, CT 06798

DANBURY OFFICE
8 Rose St,
Danbury, CT 06810

info@bartstreeservice.com

203-240-1302

Serving Ridgefield, New Fairfield, Redding,
Bethel, Brookfield, Newtown, Weston, Danbury, Wilton, Westport, Woodbury, and surrounding areas

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